Easiest Truffles Ever!

I found this recipe on FamilyFun.com, and it really is super easy!  Well, making them is easy, but shaping them is a little trickier than they let on...but it all tastes super yummy, anyway!

My semi-sweet truffles in powdered sugar, mint truffles in cocoa, and orange truffles in shredded coconut!

EASIEST TRUFFLES EVER
1/4 c. heavy cream
1 1/4 c. chocolate chips (whatever kind you prefer)
1/2 tsp. flavoring (optional)--I used both peppermint and orange extracts, and WOW.  Yum.
Toppings--coconut, powdered sugar, baking cocoa (you can't hardly taste it), finely chopped nuts--each in a separate small bowl for rolling

1. On medium heat, bring cream to a gentle boil.
2. Lower heat to low, add chocolate chips, and stir until everything is melted and smooth (about 2 minutes on our stove).
3. Add flavorings, if desired, and transfer to a bowl.  Cool in refrigerator 1 1/2-2 hours.

THIS is where I deviated from the recipe.  They said to roll it between your hands into 1 inch balls before rolling them into the toppings.  I tried that, and it melts into your hands and gets EXTREMELY messy (not to mention hard to roll).  So I went out and bought a cheap melon baller, which worked REALLY well...until I broke it.  (Yeah, that cooled chocolate is harder than melons, go figure!)  So do what you have to.  I think the IDEAL solution would be to pour the melty chocolate into candy molds (they're like 2 bucks at Hobby Lobby) instead of a bowl...then you'd just pop it out and proceed to the next step after an hour or so.

4. Roll balls or candy-molded-shapes into desired toppings.  Place on plate or tray with waxed paper lining.  Cool in fridge for at least another 1/2 hour before serving.  For best taste, allow to warm to room temperature before eating.  Makes about 12-15 truffles.

Even with the rolling fiasco, these were still YUMMY and easy.  I quadrupled the recipe so my mom and I could each have a ton, and I have no regrets (other than breaking a brand new melon baller...and what these truffles will do to my already huge figure!).  I'd like to make some for my sister (who doesn't eat chocolate) with some white chocolate chips, dipped in powdered sugar...or, for Christmas, dipped in candy cane pieces!  OR, some Reeses-inspired truffles with a peanut butter center and (white) chocolatey goodness surrounding it...SO MANY POSSIBILITIES! 

Enjoy!

Why I Believe Wednesday: My JAG Angels

When I find a TV show I really love, I get a little TOO into it.  I look up spoilers and cast interviews and even try my hand at fanfiction.  I wind up measuring time by the hours and days my favorite shows are on (even when I'm super busy with other important things).  I get a little compulsive about finishing shows (and books) I've started, and it's only worse when it's one I really love.  Because of this, I usually limit my TV time now (except for lately with Netflix...curses!).  But a few shows have been worth it. 

Today those shows are Psych and Bones, but I was really into Touched by an Angel and JAG growing up.  Seriously, just ask anyone who lived with me during those years and they will tell you...or maybe you'd like to see my scrapbooks?  :)  Anywho, when I was in college and JAG was finishing up its final seasons, I discovered the joys of online discussion boards.  In them I could fairly anonymously find kindred spirits who obsessed as much about the characters and plotlines of the show as I did (and maybe more!).  This is fairly universal across all discussion boards.  But the JAG board was extra special.

The ladies (and most of them were ladies) on this discussion board were almost all middle aged and religious, many of them born-again Christians.  They took the time to really talk about things totally unrelated to JAG.  They had a list of birthdays, a daily inspirational quote, and two separate threads for personal use--one a prayer roll, one just for personal and real-life discussions.  While we all shared a different belief system and came from many different backgrounds, I felt unity with these older ladies--not only did we all love the same show, but we all believed in a God that loved us and the power of human beings to help each other, helping God along in His work in the process.

I started off cautious and anonymous, but during that difficult semester I mentioned before things got especially difficult and particularly lonely, and I found myself slowly adding my two cents in.  I asked for prayers for certain family members, then for friends, then eventually for me.  These ladies came to know my personal circumstances more than roommates or people in my ward did.  They were sort of all like moms, aunts, grandmothers, and occasionally younger sisters to me, and I started to learn their first names, personalities, and family circumstances.  (It wasn't like I stopped living my real life or hanging out with real people face to face or anything, but talking to these ladies became a daily ritual and was cheaper than therapy.  :)  In a few months' time, they came to be my sounding board, and there was just something special to knowing that there were strangers out there who were praying for me.  Some days, I could feel their prayers and hear their words of encouragement and advice in my head.

Things climaxed when I had my injury and could not afford things like rent.  I was just venting, not looking for anything more than maybe a little pity, when one of the ladies (Marsha) private messaged me.  She said that she and some of the other ladies had been talking about me and had been wanting to help out, and if it was okay could they pool some money together and send it to me?  I protested at first, but, as I mentioned, I was very in need at this time.  I'd also been learning how to accept service from others, and was reminded of how no one can serve if we don't let them.  I felt prompted, against my pride, to say yes, thinking it would buy me some food, knowing that the Lord would bless them through this service and maybe they needed that, too.

Well, you can imagine my surprise when I got not one but TWO cards of encouragement in the mail, with over $500 total enclosed therein.  Marsha said that they'd sent out the first card, and then other ladies got wind of it and wanted to contribute, too, hence the second card.  I literally broke down in tears (which I don't do a lot).  It was enough to pay TWO MONTHS' rent and bills, AND have a little left over for food.  It was an answer to many prayers.  And they didn't even want it paid back--they told me to someday pay it forward.

I still feel badly about getting something for nothing, but at the same time, I marvel at these ladies' willingness to serve in such a BIG way to a virtual stranger.  I was blessed through their actions in a huge, unforgettable way.  Even if that hadn't happened, though, my JAG angels really saw me through a difficult time in my life in a way that I needed, as odd or unconventional as it was, just by listening to and praying for me.  Talking with them made me acutely aware of how good people really are, LDS or not.  Knowing that there are people of all faiths doing the Lord's work strengthened my testimony of Him.  It has also strengthened my resolve to be more like my JAG angels--more proactive in finding people who need help and more willing to offer it, regardless of circumstances.

I've since lost touch with all of them, but I think on them often and how much they built up my faith in people.  Because I had their encouragement, I was able to move forward with my life with much less worry.  Because they knew my name, I felt loved in a totally new and unexpected way.  Because they were out there in the world, many anonymous, I came to start seeing everyone as potentially one of these JAG Angels in disguise.  Because they took the time to follow promptings, I knew more assuredly that the Lord loves us ALL and guides us as much as we allow Him to.  He was acutely aware of my needs and He took care of them--as He always does when we do our best to deserve it--and I felt His love through theirs.  I know we won't always have something so dramatic happen to increase our faith, but I'm grateful for those big moments, anyway.  And that is why I believe.

My Moms

I'm blessed to have lots of women in my life who have acted as mother figures in my times of need--especially in young women's organizations at Church.  But only three special ladies get to claim the word mother in the official title (as they are related to me): my step-mother, my mother-in-law, and my mother.

I'm so blessed to have each of them in my life!  Where would we be without mothers?

A shout-out to Carri, my step-mother, who tries her hardest to teach us what is right.  Her protectiveness doesn't just extend to our family; she has given more than 20 years of military service to our country, which has come at no small price to her, personally.  She is my example in all things crafty, and she fills her life with things that give it purpose and meaning.

Another shout-out to Paulette, my mother-in-law.  While I've only had her as a "mom" for a short time, she has really made me feel at home in our family.  She is the most generous person I know, and she passes it off as a cultural thing but I know better--it's just what's in her heart.  She is STILL helping us, financially and otherwise, and just genuinely loves being around and serving other people.  She is a healer.  She is fiery and funny.  She raised the man I fell in love with and has lots of great advice to give me about everything in life.  She also raised my sister-in-law, who I adore.  You can't raise people like them and be bad.  :)

A special shout-out to my mother-who-birthed-and-raised me.  I was a difficult child to raise--I didn't think it then, because I didn't get into a lot of trouble or anything, but now I know better.  I had an insatiable curiosity and a steep learning curve, not to mention a fiercely independent streak.  I wasn't a terribly social kid, and I was a depressed teenager.  It couldn't have been easy to raise a child who thought they knew everything.  Or to see her grow up, thinking she didn't need you, and yet also seeing her be too afraid to take any real chances.  Mom has always been on my side, which is what I've needed most.  She always encouraged me to love learning, not only in words and the toys she bought me (I had my own microscope, telescope, and chemistry set by the time I was 10) but also by example.  I know of no one who exemplifies honest living and a charitable heart more than my mother.  She loves the Earth we live on and has a very Native spirit to her.  She is quick to forgive, always ready to help anyone, and beautiful inside and out.  Her biggest flaw (one all of us inherited) is that she is so self-deprecating that she can't see how much good she brings into the world.  I would be lost without her!

Happy Mother's Day, to all women everywhere (for we are all mothers of children), but especially to my moms.  I hope I can take the best parts of you and pass them along to the future generations of our family.

My herb garden

I finally got around to putting up our hanging herb garden!  Woohoo!  I think it's going to be great...and I especially can't wait until this summer when we have fresh herbs and lots of lettuce and spinach to eat. 

The top row is mint, the 2nd row is cilantro, then half a row each of parsley, basil, oregano, and chives.  The bottom row is lettuce, and right above it is spinach.  6 rows in all!

I like that the cheap-o shoe rack we bought had clear plastic...(1) it made writing on it and poking a hole for draining MUCH easier than dealing with cloth, and (2) I'll be able to see the WHOLE plant growing, roots and all!

Yup, right outside our patio doors...and I found our flower box, so I planted extra lettuce!

To make life easier, I wrote with a metallic silver sharpie what I was planting in each...when it's wet, the words magically appear!  I had to buy the mint and spinach as young sprouts, but everything else is a gamble with seeds, sunshine, and fertilized water.  :)

Exhibit A: freshly watered mint.

 Funny side note: when I was saving the pictures, I thought the whole thing reminded me of a sideways piano...can you see it?  Isn't it fun?

Somebody Loves Me

I have a new best friend.

Her name is Betty Crocker.

She loved me enough to merge my two favorite desserts ever into one, and it looks a little something like this:

Mmmmmmmmmm!  They are SOOOOOOO good!

Charissa's Graduation Gift!

My little sister is graduating from Purdue next weekend!  Like me, she's had an untraditional higher education experience because of various obstacles, and it also took her nine years to complete her degree.  So this sort of thing is no small feat!  Congratulations, Charissa!

Since funds are low, I made her gift...a cushy Purdue bulletin board.

It was REALLY easy, actually!  You can customize this sort of thing for anyone with just a bit of fun, personalized fabric.

1. Buy (or use what you've got) a bulletin board...or plywood/corkboard. 
2. If it is framed already, then spray paint the frame your color of choice.  (Tape off the bulletin board!  Wet bulletin boards bubble and become kind of useless.)
3. Lay out batting or even just stuffing, thinly, over the size of your board.
4. Measure and cut the fabric to go over it.  (If you're using a corkboard or plywood, you'll want to measure enough to spill over onto the back of the board for full coverage; if your board is framed, measure the size of the board inside the frame and then add about 1/4 inch to account for the fluff.)
5. Hot glue (I did) or use a staple gun to attach the fabric to the board!  (Again, if there's no frame, pull fabric tightly over to the back and staple it there--you'll love how clean it looks!)
6. Add parallel, diagonal strips of ribbon in one direction down the board.
7. Add ribbon the other direction, weaving over and under each ribbon you cross.

That's it!  You can buy fancy push pins and glue them into where the ribbons cross to get a puffier, more quilted look, but since I'm poor I just kept it as is.  I think it looks fabulous, and hopefully it will be a great reminder of all her time and hard work at Purdue!  Boiler up!

Memory

Isn't memory a funny thing?  Especially since mine is so AWFUL, I find myself thinking often about memory and how it works.  Like why "infant amnesia" even exists (and why it's probably a good thing), or what makes a memory memorable enough to stick out as your first.  Why are some people (like my grandma) able to remember what they ate for dinner on such-and-such a date, while others (like me) can't even remember a reaction on someone's face after a really important, life-changing bit of news was announced?  Obviously, the memories we have are always tainted by our emotions and our perspective about whatever is going down--just ask any two siblings about a shared experience, especially one that is emotionally charged, and you'll see what I mean.  (We laugh about this ALL THE TIME in my family...)

I have a memory like my mom.  Things and relationships and experiences from my past are hazy and vague, except for the really awful or really wonderful memories--and even then, year after year the story gets told a little differently.  My sister Charissa, on the other hand, got her memory from Dad's side of the family.  She remembers details about events from YEARS ago that I can't even remember about this morning.  And when she is told something, even just once but especially several times, she can remember it.  (Although, to be fair, if I can't remember it, I can't dispute it, so how fair is it that she automatically wins?)   

I know there are lots of ideas out there about how to improve memory, from exercise to supplements, and I'm not discrediting any of them, but I think at least part of our ability to remember things is part of our personalities.  Some of us just struggle with it in spite of our best efforts.  And some of it is a choice--we choose to remember certain things in certain ways, or, in my case, we choose to forget...sometimes it becomes a habit that we can't break.   That's why I'm glad I can blog, journal, scrapbook, facebook, and reminisce with family and friends daily!  At the end of my life, I may not remember enough of it to tell great stories by, but I will have second-hand memories in all these records of my life, and maybe that's enough for me. 

It's just fun to think about.

Why I Believe Wednesday: Moving

All of this moving talk (14 families in our ward are moving this month alone--ah, the joys of living in a college town!) has got me thinking about the other moves I've made in my life.  Since BYU, I've lived in at least one new apartment every year until this last one.  First I lived with my dad, then Mom, then some friends along the Wabash (I refer to it as 815), then downtown (103), then in the complex here with my sister.  Then the last two years with my husband in the same apartment--it almost feels like we've settled here!  Hahaha.  It'll be nice to move and to REALLY settle for a bit, now that we have an idea what the next 5 or so years of our lives are looking like.  Maybe we'll stay put in Chicago for our careers after that, too...so we could feasibly be settling like real grown-ups!

ANYWAY, the move home was an interesting one.  This was JUST before everyone had cell phones, and I didn't have much money saved up.  Dad mostly paid for my traveling expenses.  I drove from Utah to Indiana alone in my Oldsmobile station wagon, packed floor-to-ceiling with everything I owned in the world.  I was supposed to stop halfway through for my roommate and best friend's wedding reception in Kansas City, MO, and I really didn't expect any troubles along the way.  BOY was I wrong! 

First of all, driving through the mountains at the end of April means you have no idea what the weather is going to be like.  I happened to get stuck in a mini blizzard that actually closed the interstate in Wyoming, and I got stuck for the night.  Having no cell phone and little extra cash, I contemplated just sleeping in my car--but this is when my hip was still acting up and I had to sleep in a certain way to not aggravate it.  I wound up using a pay phone at a McDonald's and calling my dad, then searching (almost in vain) for a hotel that he could pay for with his credit card (and they were all, of course, over priced!).  I made the necessary calls to let everyone know that my plans would be changing, then I just sat in my room and cried.

Did I mention that using a cane in ice and snow is DANG difficult?

The next day, I started out as early as I could, once I-80 had opened.  But the snow/slush combo, combined with my terrible wipers, ended up creating a thick layer of sludge on my windshield that I couldn't see through.  Since no one was driving fast in the mountains, anyway, I had the time to drive with my window down and use a rag to wipe off some of the buildup with my hands so that I could see enough to drive. 

I made it to Lincoln, Nebraska, and then my car died.

Now, this car died on occasion, anyway, but it felt and sounded a certain way when it did.  Mostly it would just stop, and you'd feel the car slowing down (breaks still worked).  If you gave it time, it would start again, no problem, and go another 500 miles or so before it did it again.  But this was different.  There were new sounds, and some rattling and smoke involved, and a sputtering before it died.  I managed to pull off into a gas station (miracles DO happen), and I just started crying again.  But I also prayed harder than I had in a long time, because I know nothing of cars and there was no one at the gas station to help and I had no way of paying for any repairs, anyway.  As I sat there in the gravel parking lot, contemplating what was to become of me, I had the feeling I should just try to drive on.  I put the key in the ignition and started up, and everything was fine.  I drove on, literally living on prayers.

Normally I like to drive long distances with upbeat music to pass the time, but on this trip, with everything that happened, I just turned the music off and talked aloud with my Heavenly Father for two and a half days.  I prayed about everything I had recently been through, and everything I was worried about on the trip, not to mention coming home.  I pondered life's mysteries and reflected on the miracles I've already seen in my short life so far.  It was peaceful in a way that's hard to describe.  I felt like I was really communicating with the Lord, praying with Him instead of just to Him.  I knew, because of how I felt, that He was listening and was taking that journey home with me.  I felt like I had Him in my back seat.

Even more, you know those pioneer stories and testimonies in the handcart companies where they pushed themselves to their breaking point and just when they felt they could go no further it was as though the carts pushed themselves?  I had that very same feeling and experience.  I know I didn't take that journey alone.  I had guardian angels doing miracles for me on that journey--keeping me awake and focused, doing magic repairs on my car, keeping me from sliding into ditches, and mostly just pushing me onward when I was exhausted and worried and felt like I should just give up.  I was constantly reminded of a few scriptures--

"I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."  (Phil. 4:13)
"They that are with us are more..." (2 Kngs 6:16)
"...I will go before your face.  I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." (D&C 84:88)

How can you feel these things and not know that our Heavenly Father is real?  I know He lives and that He loves us.  I know He's speaking to us in quiet ways; it is WE who aren't listening.  When I do my best to listen, I hear Him and feel His arms around me.  I made it to my roommate's reception as it was ending, and after a home cooked meal and a good night's rest, I made it to Indiana the next afternoon, praying and feeling loved all the way home.  That is why I believe.

Moving!

So, we've officially decided to move to Chicago at the end of July.  Although we're going to miss our primary kiddos the most, and my family a lot, too, we're mostly REALLY excited about this move.  But I hate the actual moving part...especially packing things up!  We've been able to manage getting rid of quite a few things so far, though.  A couch, two end tables, our kitchen table and two chairs are all going to my Great Grandma's today.  Bye-bye, things!

We've also sold our barstools

and banana seats

and are trying to sell off our piano (anybody?), one of our two printers, and a complete dish set.

More stuff will be sold in the next 2-3 months.  AND we're giving some things to family and getting rid of a lot of our knick-knacks, decor, and about 2/3 of my scrapbooking supplies at our Relief Society swap meet tomorrow night!  (Anything left over will be donated to Good Will.)  It's kind of hard to part with some of these things, but it's nice to be paring down our "junk" that we really don't need.  Especially since it'll make moving easier, plus our apartment in Chicago will likely be smaller than the cheap one we have here in West Lafayette.  It's also nice to have some money coming in that we can actually save up for our moving expenses!  So it's a good move in the end.

Let's Talk Politics

I don't talk politics much, and I'm still not going to get into my political beliefs, because, frankly, everyone has their opinions pretty much set in stone and no amount of "open debate," however friendly, is actually going to change them.  But today is a day to vote in the primary elections here in Tippecanoe County, and I'm having lots of trouble figuring out who the major players are or where they stand on the issues.  Because I'm not really in either party, I can't just vote straight republican or democrat, and especially WITHIN a party, how do you know who to vote for when the names and their platforms are fairly unknown?  It doesn't help that however much I've searched in the last two days, I have yet to find a website that just summarizes each political candidate and his or her take on key issues anywhere.  Now I'm in a quandary: vote, uneducated, which I mostly think is stupid (but SO many people do it already), or not vote and feel guilty about not doing my civic duty when I'm perfectly able to and have nothing standing in my way?  Thoughts?  Opinions?  Do you know of a website that could help me get informed?